Recap: Atlanta vs. Cleveland

Medlen (11-12) scattered six hits and fanned six without issuing a walk to pick up his fifth win in his last seven starts.

"I think I've strung a few starts together where I feel pretty confident. I had some loud outs early on (tonight), but I think we made some adjustments even when I messed up a few fastballs where I was trying to go in but later in the game," said Medlen. "I think they were starting to sit on my off-speed so I was able to realize that so even if I didn't exactly execute my fastball the way I wanted to I think I had them off (balance) and off the fastball."

Brian McCann went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer and Andrelton Simmons had a pair of doubles for the Braves, winners in four straight.

Craig Kimbrel worked a perfect ninth to notch his league-leading 43rd save of the season.

With the win, Atlanta maintained its 13-game lead over the Washington Nationals atop the NL East standings.

Lonnie Chisenhall hit a solo homer for the Indians, who were swept for the second time since the All-Star break. With the loss, the Tribe fell four games behind the Oakland Athletics for the final AL Wild Card spot.

Ubaldo Jimenez (9-9) gave up three runs on seven hits and struck out 10 without issuing a walk. It was his fourth loss in five starts.

McCann's three-run homer in the third gave the Braves an early lead. Kris Medlen reached on a fielder's choice and Justin Upton singled two batters later. McCann followed with a homer to deep right field. It was his 19th longball of the season.

Atlanta's All-Star left fielder Justin Upton left the game in the fifth inning after taking a Jimenez fastball to his left hand. It appeared that Upton was going to remain in the game, but after a discussion with the Braves training staff, he left the field. X-rays on the hand were negative and the club is calling the injury a left-hand contusion.

Chisenhall's solo blast in the eighth made it 3-1.

"They did throw some really good pitching out there, they did do their job and kept us off balance," said Indians third baseman Mike Aviles.

Game Notes

The Braves own the best home record in the majors at 46-18 ... Medlen set the
club-record for consecutive saves with 33 ... Since his last blown save on May
7, Kimbrel has allowed just one run and 20 hits over 42 appearances ...
Jimenez struck out 10 batters in consecutive starts for the first time in his
career ... Earlier on Thursday, the Indians released pitcher Brett Myers.
Myers had been on the disabled list since April with a right elbow injury.